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Drop-In Care

Flexible childcare when you need it

What is Drop-In Care?

Drop-In Care is our flexible childcare option for parents who need occasional, short-term care without a full-time commitment. Your child enjoys the same safe, nurturing environment and engaging activities as our full-time students, including arts and crafts, storytime, outdoor play, and interactive learning experiences tailored to your child's age group.

Choose your payment option: Select how you'll pay for drop-in care

Rates

$15/hour
  • Any day of the week. 4-hour minimum ($60)
  • Daily cap: $120 (12–35 months) or $105 (36+ months), so a long day never costs more
  • Infants, birth to 11 months: $20/hour at our Midway Blvd center only. 4-hour minimum ($80), daily cap $160. Infant rooms run at much lower ratios, so please call before you plan on it
  • Pay by cash, Venmo or Zelle, due at drop-off. Payment details →
  • Late pickup fee: $1 per minute past your center's closing time
New

School Hours Pack

$150 / 10 hours

For the hour before school, or the hour after. Buy ten hours and use them one hour at a time, with no 4-hour minimum.

  • Use them in 1-hour blocks, before school or after school
  • Still $15 an hour. The pack does not change the rate, it removes the 4-hour minimum
  • Use your hours within the calendar month. They do not carry over, so it is worth buying at the start of the month
  • Ages 5 to 13, at our Midway Blvd center only, which is open 6 AM to 6 PM
  • Confirm each visit in advance, the same as any drop-in day
  • Time is always rounded up to a full hour. Your hours show in your parent app
  • Paid up front by cash, Venmo or Zelle. Private pay only. Payment details →
  • Meals follow our normal serving times. If your child is here when breakfast or the afternoon snack is served, they eat with everyone else. A single hour may fall outside those times
Example
You need 7 to 8 AM twice a week, and an hour after school most Fridays. That is about ten hours a month, so one pack covers it. Without a pack, each of those single hours would be charged at the 4-hour minimum of $60.

If you need cover most days of the week, enrolling in before and after school care is usually the better fit. Call or text us on (360) 682-8920 and we will work out which one suits your schedule.

How It Works

1

Check Availability

View the calendar below to see open spots.

2

Reserve Your Spot

  • Call or text (360) 682-8920
  • 24-hour advance notice preferred
  • Same-day requests accepted based on availability
  • No walk-ins
3

First Visit Paperwork

  • Complete enrollment forms and liability waiver (first visit only)
  • Bring immunization records

Download Enrollment Forms →

4

Drop Off & Pay

  • Arrive between 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM or 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Pay at drop-off by cash, Venmo or Zelle
⚠️ No drop-off during nap time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
5

Pick Up

  • Pick up by 6:00 PM
⚠️ No pickup during nap time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Who It's For

Perfect for families needing occasional, flexible childcare:

Appointments & errands Self-care days Work meetings Date nights Any time you need a few hours

Rates

DSHS Covers Your
Authorized Hours
  • We bill DCYF directly for your authorized hours
  • Extra hours beyond authorization: $15/hour (cash, Venmo or Zelle at pickup)
  • Late pickup fee: $1 per minute past your center's closing time
Example: Authorized for 6 hours, child stays 8 hours → DSHS covers 6 hours, you pay $24 for the extra 2 hours
Using MCCYN or MCCYN-PLUS? Military fee assistance works differently from DSHS, and a full-time or part-time Cost Worksheet does not cover drop-in attendance. Please talk to the Director before you file a claim. See our Military Families page for how fee assistance credit is applied.

How It Works

1

Get DSHS Authorization

2

Check Availability

View the calendar below to see open spots.

3

Reserve Your Spot

  • Call or text (360) 682-8920
  • 24-hour advance notice preferred
  • Same-day requests accepted based on availability
  • No walk-ins
4

First Visit Paperwork

  • Complete enrollment forms and liability waiver (first visit only)
  • Bring immunization records
  • Bring DSHS authorization letter

Download Enrollment Forms →

5

Drop Off

  • Arrive between 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM or 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
⚠️ No drop-off during nap time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
6

Pick Up

  • Pick up by 6:00 PM
  • Pay for any hours beyond your daily authorization
⚠️ No pickup during nap time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Who It's For

Perfect for families with DSHS childcare benefits who need flexible care:

Parents with variable work schedules Job seekers attending interviews Parents in training programs Retail, healthcare, hospitality workers Any DSHS-eligible family

Don't have DSHS authorization yet?

You may qualify for childcare assistance. Apply today!

Not sure if you qualify? Check first with DCYF's prescreening tool or call 1-844-626-8687.

Apply at Washington Connection →
NWCKA SSPS #: 587902

Availability Calendar

Check open spots for the next two weeks

Loading availability...

Available
Limited
Full
Closed

What to Bring

Please pack these items for your child

Essentials for All Children
Diapers/pull-ups and wipes (if needed)
Change of clothes
Comfort items (blanket, stuffed animal)
Meals and snacks provided
Payment Items
Payment for your hours, cash, Venmo or Zelle Private Pay
Authorization letter (first visit) DSHS
Payment for any extra hours beyond authorization DSHS

Important Policies

👶 Ages Accepted

1 to 13 years old.

🔒 Safety & Security

Secure entry systems, regular sanitization, trained staff supervision, and low teacher-to-child ratios ensure your child receives individual attention in a safe environment.

🏥 Health & Safety

We cannot accept sick children (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or contagious illness). Current immunizations are required.

❌ Cancellation

Please notify us as early as possible if you need to cancel. No-shows may affect future booking priority.

🚫 Right to Refuse

We reserve the right to refuse service for any reason.

📅 Availability Not Guaranteed

Drop-in care is subject to daily availability based on staff-to-child ratios and classroom capacity. Unlike full-time enrollment, drop-in does not reserve a dedicated spot. Families needing guaranteed daily care should inquire about full-time or part-time enrollment.

Ready to Book?

Call or Text

(360) 682-8920

Or submit an inquiry

Request Drop-In Care
Call / Text Enroll Now →